Deadline extended to save China House in Rancho Cucamonga

RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The city has responded to concerns from the National Trust for Historic Preservation over the potential demolition of the historic China House.

According to a letter from deputy City Manager Jeff Bloom, the city has allowed an extension of a deadline for the property's owner, the Cucamonga Valley Water District, to secure the site if a stabilization plan materializes.

City officials have previously red-tagged the building as unsafe, and the water district was given a 60-day period, ending on Feb. 14, to demolish the historic China House.

But groups hoping to preserve the building were given another 60-day extension, ending on April 11, after the water district requested it.

"Please be advised however that the city is not aware at this time of any plans by the public or CVWD for remediation of the dangerous condition or the identity of any possible funding sources for such efforts," the letter read.

"Any plans would need to include emergency stabilization of the structure. If no plan is submitted, demolition will be necessary to protect the public safety."

Supporters of the preservation of the China House have been given the time to come up with a feasible plan and funds to stabilize the building. If the plan is not in place, the demolition may proceed, according to city officials.

Also in the letter, the city indicates it is continuing to review any obligations it may have under the California Environmental Quality Act.

In a January letter sent by the National Trust to the city, attorney Brian Turner raised questions over CEQA compliances.

Turner wrote, "an historic resource such as the China House cannot be approved for a discretionary demolition without preparation of an Environmental Impact Report."

The China House preservation groups must now find funding for a new structural analysis to proceed with the stabilization effort, said Eugene Moy, vice president of the Chinese Historical Association of Southern California.

Moy, who has been a lead coordinator on efforts to save the house, said the water district would be obligated to help fund the effort.

"They don't have money budgeted for this, but that's not to say the water district doesn't have cash flow," Moy said.

"We'll work with them. There are some ways we can help in terms of fundraising. Once I know what the consultant costs are, I'm definitely going to contact businesses and other potential funders to see if they can contribute to it."

Moy said the water district, legally, can't demolish the house until they go through the CEQA process.

Located on the southwest corner of Klusman Avenue and San Bernardino Road, the red clay brick building was built in 1919 on the site of a once-thriving Chinatown.